T20s vs Oxbridge

[Anonymous]

What are the main differences between US T20s (Ivies, Stanford, etc) and Oxbridge? DS is considering Oxford because of the more specialized program but we really don't know much about it.

What is the application process for US applicants? Is Oxford well renowned in the US (like, will that give DS a boost when applying for jobs)? Do AOs at Oxford care much about ECs, LORs, essays, etc?

By the way, DS is going into STEM, if that's relevant.

[Anonymous]

Oxbridge is easily T15 equivalent in the US.

[Anonymous]

Oxbridge is going to offer a narrower, more focused education than most American colleges. Most degrees take three years. I've heard that Oxbridge focuses more on test scores, including AP scores, which are similar to British A-levels.

[Anonymous]

You can only apply to Oxford or Cambridge. Do your research according to your major. Cambridge is more STEM, math, etc.. Oxford, humanities.

[Anonymous]

Look up UCAS. That's the application system in the UK. The timetables are a little different than US and yes, as another poster said, you have to pick between Oxford or Cambridge. You cannot apply to both. UCAS limits you to 5 Uni applications in the UK. Notifications could come early senior year, or they may do a conditional offer with final notification in the summer. Instruction in the UK is completely different with one or two papers/tests counting for your final mark. Grading is totally different as well. I would look at quality of instruction for the subject he wants to read, and exit outcomes if your DC is interested in grad school at all or placement in an industry sector - where do the grads go, what schools do they get into.

[Anonymous]

There have been quite a few previous thread here that have touched on the requirements for Oxford and Cambridge, including the interview requirement. You can easily look at the admission requirements for students from the US by, for example, searching “Oxford international requirements physics” then clicking “admission requirements” and selecting USA. It spells it out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oxbridge is easily T15 equivalent in the US.

More like 15-25. But easier to get in than 15-25.

Academic rigor is great. But the same is true at Reed…

[Anonymous]

UK higher ed is truly for the self directed student who will independently seek out sources/materials and go deep within the subject. If that is your kid, it is excellent. If your kid needs a clear syllabus/roadmap and quizzes along the way, I do not recommend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oxbridge is easily T15 equivalent in the US.

More like 15-25. But easier to get in than 15-25.

Academic rigor is great. But the same is true at Reed…

More like 10-15. HYPSM considers Oxbridge their peers.

[Anonymous]

I did grad school there so I can’t speak to the undergrad admissions but can talk about the differences.

As others have said, British education is much more self directed. That works for some but it can be difficult for Americans, especially 19 year olds.

It is also much more essay based (though this may be different for STEM, I’m not sure) so that can be an adjustment as well. Generally exams all take place at the end of the school year - I used to describe it to American friends as the Harry Potter school system. That makes it a bit all or nothing which works for some but not others. Again, you need self-discipline and self-direction.

There are three terms per year, which means you get more frequent breaks than a semester system but it can eat into the summer which makes American internships difficult.

Also, you need to research colleges. Your son will apply to and be admitted to a college, these all vary in terms of primary academic focus and social life but are not necessarily subject based like in the US.

Final thing I would say is that British universities tend to offer much less in terms of facilities, career services, etc. The focus is on academics, much less the bells and whistles (though there are definitely some good parties).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did grad school there so I can’t speak to the undergrad admissions but can talk about the differences.

As others have said, British education is much more self directed. That works for some but it can be difficult for Americans, especially 19 year olds.

It is also much more essay based (though this may be different for STEM, I’m not sure) so that can be an adjustment as well. Generally exams all take place at the end of the school year - I used to describe it to American friends as the Harry Potter school system. That makes it a bit all or nothing which works for some but not others. Again, you need self-discipline and self-direction.

There are three terms per year, which means you get more frequent breaks than a semester system but it can eat into the summer which makes American internships difficult.

Also, you need to research colleges. Your son will apply to and be admitted to a college, these all vary in terms of primary academic focus and social life but are not necessarily subject based like in the US.

Final thing I would say is that British universities tend to offer much less in terms of facilities, career services, etc. The focus is on academics, much less the bells and whistles (though there are definitely some good parties).

PP. One additional thing since you asked. These schools are definitely renowned in the US, but hiring managers often have less experience with them and US companies are less likely to recruit there for US-based jobs. It can be a leg up for UK-based jobs, although that depends on the immigration policies of the day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oxbridge is going to offer a narrower, more focused education than most American colleges. Most degrees take three years. I've heard that Oxbridge focuses more on test scores, including AP scores, which are similar to British A-levels.

This sounds about right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oxbridge is easily T15 equivalent in the US.

More like 15-25. But easier to get in than 15-25.

Academic rigor is great. But the same is true at Reed…

Cambridge and Oxford 15-25 equivalent? 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂 Cambridge is fairly universally accepted in academic circles as the nr 1 university in the world. Oxford not far behind.

Too funny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oxbridge is easily T15 equivalent in the US.

More like 15-25. But easier to get in than 15-25.

Academic rigor is great. But the same is true at Reed…

Cambridge and Oxford 15-25 equivalent? 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂 Cambridge is fairly universally accepted in academic circles as the nr 1 university in the world. Oxford not far behind.

Too funny.

Agree, some people just have to believe anything

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oxbridge is easily T15 equivalent in the US.

More like 15-25. But easier to get in than 15-25.

Academic rigor is great. But the same is true at Reed…

Cambridge and Oxford 15-25 equivalent? 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂 Cambridge is fairly universally accepted in academic circles as the nr 1 university in the world. Oxford not far behind.

Too funny.

Oxford is universally viewed as better than Cambridge, if only slightly - now whether that perception is merited or not is a whole other conversation. Oxford is to Cambridge what Harvard is to Yale.